German Customs Law

Customs issues in Germany can be a cost-intensive obstacle. No matter if you or your company conduct imports and exports to/from Germany and Europe or if you experience problems during a customs control at a German airport, our German customs law attorney advises quickly.

Customs clearance and German customs law for import and export companies

A number of statutory provisions must be observed when carrying out imports and exports to/through Germany and Europe. These range from

In addition to national regulations, the provisions of the common customs tariff further complicate the customs law for companies. Moreover, the assessment basis for the import sales tax (value added tax, VAT) frequently does not equal the customs value of the goods, which may lead to confusion not only in the company's accounting department.

Customs examinations result in additional payment obligations

For many business companies, legally secure customs clearance becomes the top priority issue when being faced with severe additional payment obligations. Oftentimes, this happens after a formal investigation conducted by the customs authorities. In the course of such a customs examination, companies rapidly recognize that customs law uses its own terms, which are only understandable with great difficulty. "Tariffing", "goods nomenclature", and "indication of origin" are only some of the terms that regularly lead to outstanding issues in companies. The export to Germany involves many other complicated restrictions.

How our German customs lawyer can assist you

Our customs lawyer helps you translate those abstract legal terms. He also assists in coordinating relevant procedures under customs law and informs you about the numerous guidelines you and your company have to comply with. You will be on the safe side with us, whether in regard to customs value law, tariff classification, customs value for duty and transfer pricing, export refunds, customs audits, civil seizure, or objections to customs assessment notices.

Also individuals affected by German customs law

Not only companies have a tough time to understand German customs guidelines. It is no wonder that those guidelines are incomprehensible for most travelers and individual entrepreneurs, too. The "German customs code" is rarely part of the vocabulary of tourists and business travelers. Therefore, there can always be surprises when luggage gets checked by security and customs officers, especially in the exit areas of airports, including Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt Airport.

Indeed, many of our clients have experienced customs in Frankfurt taking a very close look on luggage and cash and have raised the question whether customs at Frankfurt Airport and at the Hauptzollamt (main customs office) Frankfurt am Main are particularly strict. Based on our experience, this is not the case. Customs officials in Frankfurt do not act more resolute than the customs in Hamburg or the customs in Berlin. So, if, for example, a criminal tax proceeding is being started after entering Germany, it does not ultimately matter what customs officials are dealing with your case.

Immediate protection against sanctions by customs authorities

Passengers with undeclared goods regularly face criminal or summary proceedings. Then, immediate action is of uppermost priority to avoid a criminal record in Germany. As experienced German attorneys in customs law we provide you with competent advice and support if uncertainties under customs law arise in the course of your arrival at Frankfurt Airport or at any other airport in Germany. Financial and personal burdens can be usually kept to a minimum as a result of the expert advice of a German customs lawyer.

Customs criminal law and customs administrative offenses

Customs criminal law, which is federal law, plays an important role in German customs law. For example, administrative offenses under German customs law include frivolous tax evasion (Section 378 Revenue Code), evasion of consumption taxes (Section 381 Revenue Code), and evasion of import duties or export duties (Section 382 Revenue Code).

For staff and employees in leading positions, charges under customs law and customs offenses can entail significant professional consequences. Therefore, customs charges and German customs investigations should be taken very seriously and entail a rapid examination of the situation.

We provide you with competent advice in your ongoing customs procedures, regardless of whether administrative offenses or criminal proceedings are concerned. Typically, severe consequences in the case of customs law infringements can thus be prevented.

Your German Customs Law Attorney

Do you have questions concerning Customs Law in Germany or Customs Law in Europe in general? Our experts for all issues related to trade and customs law, German customs, customs code, and import/export procedures in Germany is Customs Attorney Bartosz Dzionsko. Please contact us by e-mail (info@winheller.com) or by phone (+49 (0)69 76 75 77 80) and we will be happy to discuss your case and to assist you.